Hell's Kitchen, New Season

[fireheart]

With the US Hells Kitchen, its gotten to the point where he's basically just shown as struggle with the Rage Virus for the entire season except the last episodes where he's suddenly a caring mentor.

Though I do like it when he tossed out a reference to Dave at Tommy when he was whining about a twinge in his neck. ;p

Jonathon, not Tommy.

And I'm a bit half and half on this season. They've really tried to shake things up with some different challenges that have REALLY stretched the contestants knowledge: how many fine dining chefs would cook with beer? Also some of the service twists have been a lot better, take the episode that just aired with the charity black tie. Sure they've cooked for special events before, but it seemed like a team version of the running the pass challenge, a challenge which is normally reserved for the final three or four. Also, I do believe that its the first time they've done the "plan your own menu" challenge as a black team. Possibly so they can finally get rid of Elise.

[Jetfire]

Ugh, Elise just keeps annoying me... if Elizabeth had shown even the slightest bit of leadership, Elise's ass would've been gone. But in the end, I regretfully have to admit, it was the right choice from what we saw.

I am calling shinnanigans on the dinner comments though. The last comment about the apple fritter being good, was made without the diner ever eating any of it. The camera panned straight up from her fork to the plate, otherwise untouched to her saying the line (rather blandly at that)

[fireheart]

Yeah, I tend to agree, this group of All stars isn't really. They're the also rans who almost made it. But it should still be intertaining. I kinda liked Van, even though he also turned into a whiner at the end. Couldn't cook fish to save his ass IIRC.

Despite being a fish cook

From the preview, since I watch them on Youtube where I can, I swear Tenille looks more and more like Whoopi Goldberg there.

Jillian definitely deserved to return. although her leadership sucked, she made it pretty far.

My list of All-Stars would've been:

Kevin/Ariel (Season 6) (or both) (they were both excellent cooks)
Petrozza (season 4) (excellent cook, grew a LOT, VERY mature and a gentleman)
Julia (season 3) (be interesting to see what she has learned since leaving HK)
Andrea (Season 5)

Also did anyone notice that there was NOBODY from Season 7 in that line-up? Ben is from Season 5, Van and tenille season 6 and Trev and Jillian Season 8.

[Jester]

I should note that, until I got my DVR a year or so ago, I had never seen a full season of Hell's Kitchen. (This season has been the first that my local cable company has made HK available On Demand.) And other than this season and last, which I've watched via my DVR, I had only ever seen the majority of one other season, I think. So I am going to be a bit clueless about some of the past chefs, I'm afraid.

Been a while since I have audibly muttered "Just shut the fuck UP. PLEASE" at a show this often.

Agreed. Even Christian from Master Chef didn't irritate me this much. Hell, even Marcel from Top Chef Season 2 didn't drive me this batty.

I haven't done that since, well, the last season of Hell's Kitchen ( Which was awful, frankly. No one deserved to win that one. ). This season is better, thankfully.

I couldn't disagree more. As I recall, Nona won last season (unless I missed a season, which is always possible). If that is the season you're talking about, I would put that group of chefs against this one every single time. Especially past the halfway point on both seasons. That season, once they got rid of the chaff, there were some very talented cooks there. This season, not so much. basically three worth a fuck. And NO ONE last season was Elise-caliber annoying or obnoxious.

I find it particularly annoying because Ramsay is shown as pretty much 100% Rage Beast now for ratings. Whereas if you've ever seen the UK versions of his shows, they're actually allowed to show him being human and you really get a sense that this is a guy that has a passion for this stuff.

Nurse Betty commented on this to a degree, and she wasn't even referring to the UK version (as she's never seen it, to my knowledge), but to previous seasons. They used to show Ramsay giving lessons about the stuff they'd be cooking. Maybe he still does and they don't show it--after all, the cooks have to learn how to make his dishes somewhere, right?--but they have completely focused on the drama, rather than the cooking. And while it IS called Hell's Kitchen, let's face it, a huge portion of their viewership are foodies.

...how many fine dining chefs would cook with beer?

With the recent craft beer revolution, quite a bit, actually. Even before the current craft beer revolution, cooking with beer was not a new thing, nor something that was strictly the province of barbecue pit masters or backyard grill kings.

As the resident beer snob, I feel that I must correct this erroneous belief of yours that cooking with beer is something novel and different and unheard of in fine dining kitchens. It ain't. Just because most of these cooks didn't seem to know what they were doing with it doesn't mean squat...I've already expressed my low opinion on the abilities of this crop.

[fireheart]

With the recent craft beer revolution, quite a bit, actually. Even before the current craft beer revolution, cooking with beer was not a new thing, nor something that was strictly the province of barbecue pit masters or backyard grill kings.

As the resident beer snob, I feel that I must correct this erroneous belief of yours that cooking with beer is something novel and different and unheard of in fine dining kitchens. It ain't. Just because most of these cooks didn't seem to know what they were doing with it doesn't mean squat...I've already expressed my low opinion on the abilities of this crop.

What I meant was that you wouldn't see it in a five-start restaurant. But thanks for clarifying.

Hands down, the most interesting challenge was the one with the two chefs from Moto. All of their stuff looks and sounds awesome. It would also make a great presentation for high school students over here.

[Jester]

What I meant was that you wouldn't see it in a five-start restaurant.

And I still disagree. I think that you might well find dishes made with or even exalting beer in a five star restaurant. It wouldn't surprise me at all.

And let's not forget that none of the cheftestants, as far as I know, actually work at a five star restaurant. But I do believe they all do work as chefs in restaurants, so I don't think it's expecting too much for them to be able to cook with beer. And, as I recall, a few of them did rather well at it.

[fireheart]

Hmm....since we're now getting down to the Final Five....

what would people think if they did a Hell's Kitchen Redemption? Like as in, have past contestants returning and having a chance to redeem themselves. You'd pick one or two contestants from each season and have them return.

My picks and why:

Season 1: Elsie and Jessica. Elsie did a damn good job for someone who didn't have a lot of restaurant experience and got further than the executive chef! Jessica almost made it, she just didn't make it all the way (sort of like Jillian from Season 8)

Season 2: Virginia. THats the only really redeeming chef I can think of.

Season 3: Julia and Jen. Julia for the same reasons as Elsie and Jen based upon the fact that she improved MASSIVELY from the start, despite the spaghetti in the bin incident. (If you didn't watch that particular series, she'd accidentally cooked way too much spaghetti, threw it out, JUlia told her that another spaghetti was on order, she fished it out of the bin and chucked it into a pot of boiling water since it killed the bacteria)

Season 4: Petrozza. Petrozza. Petrozza. You gotta love the guy. He could really teach Elise a lesson in humility and being honest with yourself. Also for similar reasons as Jen. (the defining moment for him would be the seventh episode where his team-mates all decided to rig the vote and cause a deadlock. Petrozza was meant to vote for Bobby I think, but he didn't like hte idea and voted for himself, pointing out that he wasn't as good as the others. That was the night that Ben left .)

Season 5: Andrea, Ben and Paula. All three I considered to work well in their teams to an extent and while Andrea was a bit over the top with her final three, she still did a bloody good effort.

Season 6: Tenille, Ariel and Kevin. All because they improved MASSIVELY over time and while Tenille seemed to lack an off-button, she wasn't as manipulative.

Season 7: Possibly Ed or Jay.

Season 8: Jillian and Trev. While Trev was eliminated prior to Jillian, he's been capable of finishing a whole service almost single-handedly (the only other person who I think has done this so far has been Jennifer from THIS season) and Jillian I think had a good chance to win....it just wasn't enough.

What do y'all think?

[Gravekeeper]

I couldn't disagree more. As I recall, Nona won last season (unless I missed a season, which is always possible).

That's the one, yeah. There was so much drama bullshit in that one between the contestants. Fox was even editing the next episode previews into blatant lying frankly. It was painful to watch at times. Cooking talent aside, there were very few contestants that were likable as people. Russell was a total cock straight to the end and blamed his team for losing him the show if I remember right.

what would people think if they did a Hell's Kitchen Redemption?

Ji from season 5, who had to leave with the ankle injury. But still completed a whole service on it before hand. She deserves another shot at it.

Petrozza was a class act, but he opened his own restaurant after Hells Kitchen if I recall. A lot of the runners up actually go on to be successful themselves in pretty short order. Though I think some of contestants vanish off the landscape because of how they acted on Hells Kitchen too. >.>

[fireheart]

That's the one, yeah. There was so much drama bullshit in that one between the contestants. Fox was even editing the next episode previews into blatant lying frankly. It was painful to watch at times. Cooking talent aside, there were very few contestants that were likable as people. Russell was a total cock straight to the end and blamed his team for losing him the show if I remember right.

Yeah, he was a sore loser. Nona sorta grew on me as she went. Especially given that she had a damn good palette.

Ji from season 5, who had to leave with the ankle injury. But still completed a whole service on it before hand. She deserves another shot at it.

Petrozza was a class act, but he opened his own restaurant after Hells Kitchen if I recall. A lot of the runners up actually go on to be successful themselves in pretty short order. Though I think some of contestants vanish off the landscape because of how they acted on Hells Kitchen too. >.>

Yes, her too.

According to a couple of interviews, he's still catering, but he apparaently works for the University of South Carolina.

His rival Christina is working at a restaurant called Bouchon Bistro, but she has plans on opening her own restaurant.

[Sapphire Silk]

And I still disagree. I think that you might well find dishes made with or even exalting beer in a five star restaurant. It wouldn't surprise me at all.

And let's not forget that none of the cheftestants, as far as I know, actually work at a five star restaurant. But I do believe they all do work as chefs in restaurants, so I don't think it's expecting too much for them to be able to cook with beer. And, as I recall, a few of them did rather well at it.

A lot of the contestants are line cooks, working in every day diners and slop shops. Some have very little experience, some have no culinary education. One season (last IIRC) had two culinary instructors (one college, one high school).

It doesn't matter. Beer is an ingredient. If you're good at what you do, it will enhance the flavor of the dish. If you're not, it won't.

Russell was a total cock straight to the end and blamed his team for losing him the show if I remember right.

You remember rights. I was completely disgusted when he did that. I wouldn't give him a job washing dishes after that.

Petrozza was a class act, but he opened his own restaurant after Hells Kitchen if I recall. A lot of the runners up actually go on to be successful themselves in pretty short order. Though I think some of contestants vanish off the landscape because of how they acted on Hells Kitchen too. >.>[/QUOTE]

The same has been true of contestants of similar shows like the Apprentice. Drive, talent, getting the job done was more important than winning the contest for employers. Most of the finalists probably won't suffer for not winning.

Elise needs some humbling though. Being told by a potential employer, "You were a total bitch on Hell's Kitchen. Come back when you grow up and understand the meaning of "team player," might be what it takes to crack through her arrogance.

Or not.

[Jester]

Beer is an ingredient. If you're good at what you do, it will enhance the flavor of the dish. If you're not, it won't.

Right. And I know tons of home and amateur cooks who cook with beer, including myself. And I've worked in restaurants that use it as well. Not just the brewpub I used to work in, either. Hell, my head chef at The Bar uses beer for our ribs. And our ribs are awesome.

My point simply being that beer is not that exotic an ingredient, and lots of cooks have used it for a long time. Even before the recent rise in popularity of craft beer.

Elise needs some humbling though. Being told by a potential employer, "You were a total bitch on Hell's Kitchen. Come back when you grow up and understand the meaning of "team player," might be what it takes to crack through her arrogance.

Or not.

Probably not. I can already hear her saying that they just did not understand her brilliance and talent. Or some such equally obnoxious rubbish.

[Eisa]

The redemption idea would be quite interesting.

But please not Season 2's Virginia. I hated her. I mean, she was better than Sara, but still. I hated her.

[fireheart]

The redemption idea would be quite interesting.

But please not Season 2's Virginia. I hated her. I mean, she was better than Sara, but still. I hated her.

She was the first non-winning chef I could think of. Sara annoyed the heck out of me.

[fireheart]

A lot of the contestants are line cooks, working in every day diners and slop shops. Some have very little experience, some have no culinary education. One season (last IIRC) had two culinary instructors (one college, one high school).

That was Season 7, with Ed (also known as "Mr. Relax It's A Penis") and Benjamin (Mr. Oui )

There's been only one other contestant who was a culinary instructor (Season 5's Colleen), one contestant who was a culinary STUDENT (season 4's Christina), two stay-at-home parents (S1's Elsie and S4's Dominic), a pizza maker (S2's Giacomo), a former stockbroker (S2's Tom), a short-order cook (Julia), an electrician/former cook (S4's Ben), a law office receptionist/former cook (S4's Rosann), a quality control chef (WTF? Season 5's Wil) and a farmer (S7's Andrew aka Mr. Creepy).

I couldn't really tell too much out of Season 1's lot because they were purchasing supervisors/office assistants etc. but they were still working IN the restaurant industry....

[Gravekeeper]

Got your wish in abridged form there. They brought in Van, Ben, Tenille, Trev and Jillian I think it was to compete against the existing black team last episode.

They should do that every season now -.-